What to expect

On the road and at home, we always feel your support. We love y'all. 💚🖤 pic.twitter.com/hHqdHkExHc

— Austin FC (@AustinFC) August 8, 2021

Austin is now 12th in the Western Conference after a few weeks at the bottom of the standings. Their next opponent, Real Salt Lake, currently sits just below playoff berth at eighth in the conference.

Salt Lake has been winless since July 7, when they pulled off a triumphant 4-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps. The club is led in attacks by midfielder Damir Kreilach, who has scored eight goals for the team, and Albert Rusnak, who helped the team out of their scoring drought in their 3-2 loss to the Portland Timbers.

With just 13 goals in the season, Austin has scored the least of any MLS team, and they'll be pitted against Mexican international team keeper David Ochoa as they look to rack up some more points. Still, the team's 3-2 win over Houston on Aug. 4, led by two goals from MLS Player of the Week Tomas Pochettino, could indicate what's to come for Austin's ever-evolving team.

Projected starting lineup

Driussi, the team's most expensive signee to date, was obtained by Austin FC during the summer transfer to alleviate scoring woes. He got in 30ish minutes against FC Dallas, but with a 2-0 deficit, was unable to show his true talents in his first Austin FC match. He'll be expected to start at the top of Austin's lineup this weekend.

Both stars Tomas Pochettino and Cecilio Dominguez were out of the starting lineup as well, entering the pitch in the 62nd minute alongside Driussi. Wolff cited health and rest concerns as his motive for benching the team's top three players, but he's almost guaranteed to not repeat the move after post-match backlash.

Thanks in part to Wolff's admittedly "cautious" roster, Austin FC also has a mostly-healed lineup. Daniel Pereira is back and helping ramp up a better midfield, while Nick Lima has returned to right back. Just McKinze Gaines (forward), Danny Hoesen (forward), Ulises Segura (midfield), and Ben Sweat (left back) are still on the injured roster. Gaines was spotted training on the sidelines in the week before the Salt Lake match.

Meanwhile, Austin is still waiting for the debut of transfers Moussa Djitte, who arrived in Austin this week after a month of slow paperwork moves, and Austin native McKinze Gaines, who signed in August but has been out on injury. Djitte is expected to join the crew in late August, though no date has been specified for either new player.